A second high-resolution genetic linkage map was constructed for the ridgetail white prawn including 9280 markers.
•
A highly significant sex-related QTL was first mapped to a single linkage group.
•
52 markers in the QTL region were significantly associated with sex, of which heterogametic genotypes in females supported the ZW sex determination mechanism.
•
Six markers were verified to be significantly associated with sex in the wild population.
Abstract
Sex determination is an important and intriguing research topic in the field of evolutionary and developmental biology. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for sex is helpful in clarifying the sex determination system of species. In this study, a second high-resolution genetic linkage map was constructed for the ridgetail white prawn, Exopalaemon carinicauda, which included 9280 markers, covering 99.98% of the complete genome. Based on the linkage map, a highly significant sex-related QTL was first mapped to a single linkage group (LG3, LOD > 55.6). Fifty-two markers in the QTL region were significantly associated with sex (p ≤ 10−40), of which heterogametic genotypes in females supported the ZW sex determination mechanism. Six markers were verified to be significantly associated with sex in the wild population. Some sex-related genes were identified, including phospholipase D, protein kinase shaggy, and longitudinals lacking protein. These results inform our understanding of the mechanisms of sex determination in E. carinicauda.
